What s Up Doc?

Hawkeyes, I agree with you on Barnes running the bases last night. I watched the replay at least twice. A first I thought he was stealing second. He got a great jump on that hit.

Dodgers 76 – 23 since Bellinger called up 4/25. That’s a .767 W-L and would result in 124 wins over a 162 game season.

I too like Kasten, and was pleased when he joined the ownership group and became the President and CEO of the Dodgers. He built the Braves with a strong pitching core and a strong farm. The Dodgers seem to be following in that pattern. But I think the days of having three HOF pitchers on the same staff is not going to be replicated for some time (if ever again). He was very loyal to John Schuerholz and Bobby Cox, so that bodes well for Andrew Friedman/Farhan Zaidi and Doc Roberts. His teams got to the playoffs, but were successful only one time in the WS. But IMO the field personnel need to take a big chunk of the ownership on that.

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With respect to Austin Barnes, I remember Mark being so positive about him; so much so that I started to refer to him as Mark’s Craig Biggio. He is never going to be a Craig Biggio, but he is an outstanding team player capable of playing all over the field and being solid in every one of those position (as was Craig Biggio). I think Biggio was an AS catcher, 2B, and OF. Maybe not an OF as he moved there at the end of his career, but he still played OF during his AS years. I think MJ’s description of Austin Barnes as just a baseball player is apt. That is what he is.

It’s fantastic the team is playing so well with a different hero every night. But I think the most beautiful sight is in the standings. The Dodgers are 51 games over 500, have 51 home wins and the midgets have 48 wins on the season total.

I posted the links to the articles on the Dodgers’ front office (which I thought was fascinating) and on lineup construction (which isn’t new news, actually) as I thought that it would be of general interest to all Dodger fans.

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You can’t argue with success and the Dodgers have been on a run the likes of which I have never seen. Obviously, the clubhouse is more cohesive and the players have bought into the advantages that the data brings. The Braintrust has been more than data crunchers which is clear from the article as well. I was never one who thought that the Braintrust was dictating lineups, etc. from on high and the article clarified that for those who thought otherwise. The article makes it clear that they are more engaged with the players than you would expect and this has been a big plus.

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On paper, this isn’t the best Dodger team that I’ve seen – I would say that the teams from 74 – 78 are better in terms of having starters who pitched innings and pitched every 4 or 5 days, as well as position players who were outstanding without the need of platooning, etc. The thing is that the games aren’t played on paper and this years’ team has done inexplicable things – like 10 walk off wins, going 50 – 9 since June 7, losing only 1 game if they had a lead at any time, etc. These guys know that they have a chance to win every game so they never stop grinding and win when you think that they can’t/won’t. Any Dodger fan has to be really, REALLY excited about this bunch, and I am hoping for both a regular season win record and a World Series victory.

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Branch Rickey said that luck was the residue of design. I have been critical of the constant roster churn, but give Friedman et al credit – the roster churn has revealed guys like Taylor and Morrow. And it isn’t luck at this point – it is the players’ knowledge that they are never out of a game and the depth of the roster that has produced results.

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One more thought about “depth”. We were told in previous seasons that it didn’t matter if the team hired the old and infirm to pitch because of depth. Injured pitchers don’t help you, in my view. On the other hand, if an Adrian Gonzalez or a Clayton Kershaw get hurt, between scouring the waiver wire, bringing up guys from the minors and the return of other injured guys have produced a nearly seamless transition and the Dodgers keep going even with injuries. I do think that they have a couple of irreplaceable players – Seager, Jansen and yes, Kershaw, but on the whole, the Dodgers are better suited to survive injuries than any team in baseball. The Braintrust gets extra kudos for the foresight to stock the shelves. That’s what they have done with the money – they haven’t spent a fortune on free agents, but they have stocked the shelves.

Barnes got a great read on Puig’s hit. He’s was at second base when Puig’s hit landed.

The thought of Stanton in the Dodgers lineup makes me drool. Can’t even imagine how difficult it would be to pitch around anyone. Cody might never receive another IBB. Might consider flipping Grandal/Puig in that lineup, but that probably doesn’t matter. And I’m sure it was just an oversight when you mentioned “Grandal” instead of “Grandal/Barnes”. Not going to comment on the players included in the deal, because I’m sure that FAZ is perfectly capable of determining who to include. I have never seen Yadier Alvarez pitch, but based on what I’ve read, I’d be very reluctant to include him. I realize he’s regressed a bit this year, but I think it’s important to remember that he’s only 21, and electric arms like his don’t come along everyday. Maturity is a hard thing to predict, but should Alvarez find it, his regression could turn into progression in an instant.

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I’ve always been a strong FAZ supporter, even though I supported THE TRADE, and still do. When Guggenheim took over the team in 2012 they came in with the idea of winning now, and building for the future, BOTH at the same time. And they did that because they had the vision and the wherewithal to do it. Let’s not forget, that it’s generally conceded that it takes about 5 years to build a farm system that produces a steady pipeline of talent. When Guggenheim took over in 2012 they drafted Cory Seager and signed Puig and Urias. And they’ve continued to add talent year after year since then.

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In the meantime the Dodgers have won 4 consecutive division titles (soon officially to become 5), and would probably have gone to the WS in 2013 had Hanley not been drilled in the ribs. All of this while building a steady pipeline of young talent that promises to continue producing for years to come.

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And while FAZ deserves much of the credit, so too does Stan Kasten, the person probably most responsible for hiring Andrew Friedman. What Friedman and Zaidi are doing now is probably an extension of Kasten’s vision to rebuild the farm system decimated by McCourt, while continuing to win while that system was still in its nascent stages of development. Kasten likely knew that he would ultimately take a backseat to Friedman, and had the foresight to hire a like-minded executive to carry out his long term plan.

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So, while I give great credit to FAZ, Byrnes, etc., I also have not forgotten that they would not be in place were it not for Stan Kasten’s vision. If anything, this has been a team effort.

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As for Doc, he’s been great. It may take a while for everyone to agree on this, but in my mind he’s replaced Bochy as the best manager in the game.

Mike Stanton cleared waivers.

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Let’s start some rumors.

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1. Taylor CF

2. Seager SS

3. Turner 3B

4. Bellinger 1B

5. Stanton LF

6. Grandal C

7. Puig RF

8. Forsythe/Utley 2B

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A-Gon is part of the deal as a PTBNL after the World Series, so he comes off the books next year. The Marlins also take Kaz and Mac for payroll relief and Joc Pederson, Alex Verdugo, Yadier Alvarez , Will Smith, Yusniel Diaz and Starling Heredia.

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Am I crazy?

Am I the only one who finds the national coverage of baseball by the likes of ESPN or mlb.com to be irritating. Here we are with one of the historical regular season teams in baseball history, and still all the coverage is “Yankees vs. Redsox….Aaron Judge…Aaron Judge, Red Sox…Red Sox..Yankees…oh yeah, Kris Bryant…Cubs…” What does it take to break this East Coast bias?

The USA Today article was good in that it made most if not all of the same points people like Mark and AC and me have been making for a couple of years. What I found gratifying, interesting, encouraging even, is that it was Dodgerrick who posted a link to that article. He had been a steadfast detractor of the Friedman/Zaidi way, those nerds with their pocket protectors and slide rules ruining the game, besmirching the memory of Koufax and Drysdale, removing the heart and human element from the game in favor of algorithmically dictated baseball automatons. He’s a smart, rational guy, and made good counter arguments against the FAZ way, but I think among the intelligent there is a realization that, although some of the modern changes don’t replicate the nostalgic memory many of us have of great Dodgers teams of the past, the present looks pretty good. And to his credit, he gives credit. Even Truther, who I sparred with often last year, who was as cynical about this organization as it gets and called the lineup gutless, is enjoying the grit and clutch hitting of this team. We’re all enjoying the ride, and it’s good. In these times, when I’m seeing my country seemingly come apart at the seams, I take solace in the Dodgers. And in this, we can all enjoy the ride.

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There are still a few dead enders; a few clingers. I popped in out of a sense of morbid curiosity over at that Dodger Therapy site. He no longer posts articles. (what on Earth of substance does he have to say anymore?), but he is still active in the comments, providing a haven for those “long suffering Dodger fans.” I gave him a little poke in the comments section there. What a bitter, angry guy! His thinking attracts the like minded, and his lone, lonely little website reminds me of those old Japanese soldiers, alone on those remote Pacific islands, still clinging the the fight decades later.

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Wins like the one last night make it feel like this is a team of destiny, and reminds me a bit of the 88 Dodgers and some of those moments: like Lasorda using starting pitcher Tim Leary as a pinch hitter in the 9th, and him getting a walk off base hit, Gibson coming home from second on a wild pitch (my memory is a bit hazy but I think that happened), and of course the image of Don Drysdale embracing Orel when he broke his scoreless innings streak. The playoffs are always a question mark. Anything can happen, as it did for the 2001 Mariners, and I think, as Bluto points out, this team should be build for multiple playoff appearances. That makes for better odds of actually winning a WS. But still, it would a shame if the this team didn’t take the WS.

I couldn’t sleep last night after that, this is incredible. What a hit for Puig, what a win for the Dodgers.

What a win last night! Yu didn’t have his best stuff, but these guys are amazing… they are never out of a game it seems. It’s obvious to me that Agon will be nothing more than PH and occasional starter, but he’s been “Pipped.” This team has been too dynamic with who they have brought to the dance and to insert Agon or Eitheir into an everyday starting line-up would be a mistake.

I think September will be a tryout to see who’s hitting the ball well and either one, but not both, will be on the playoff roster as a LH PH and depth piece. This team is going to the playoff war with Cody 1B, Taylor OF, Forsythe/Utley 2B, Joc/Kike OF. The kids have arrived, they’re playing great and the NL West will have to go through LA for the next decade or so. Love what FAZ and Doc have created. Just hope it brings a WS to LA!

1. I echo Mark’s comments on Dodgerrick’s USA Today gem. It is the best picture of a front office and team melding into a juggernaut that I have read. The players seemingly love the relationship, which apparently was critical in the re-signing of Kenley, JT, and Rich Hill. The players also seem to be buying into the numbers. The FAZ way will be plagiarized.

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2. Again, I trust Doc’s lineups. I am happy for Kike’, I am happy for Logan, and I am happy for Yasiel. And wearing my Seager jersey out on the town, always seems to work.

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3. Mark touched on some of the minor league action…here is a more detailed version.

MINOR LEAGUE REPORT

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OKC Game 1 – OKC lost 11-8 to Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals). Three OKC pitchers allowed 11 runs on 11 hits, 5 walks, 8 strikeouts, and 3 HRs. Justin Marks started and took the loss. Tim Locastro and Kyle Farmer had three hits each for the Dodgers, including Locastro’s 2nd HR. Locastro is now batting .415. Charlie Culberson, O’Koyea Dickson, and Drew Maggi had two hits each for the Dodgers.

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OKC Game 2 – OKC lost 2-1 to Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals). Fabio Castillo started and went 5.0 innings allowing 1 run on two hits, issuing 1 walk, and 5 strikeouts, and got the loss. Walker Buehler relieved and allowed 1 run on 3 hits and 1 strikeout. He is a starter learning how to relive. Alex Verdugo and Charlie Culberson each had two hits. Culberson’s 2nd hit was a 2 out 7th inning run scoring single for the Dodgers sole run.

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Tulsa Game 1 – Tulsa 6-1 win over Corpus Christi Hooks (Astros). Josh Sborz seems to be finally getting acclimated. He followed up his last two excellent starts with a third consecutive strong pitching performance to win his 7th game. Josh went 6 innings (92 pitches) and allowed 1 run on 3 hits, 1 walk and 7 strikeouts. His ERA is down to 3.53. Luis Ysla pitched a perfect 7th inning to complete the win. Offensively, Matt Beatty went 3-3 including his 14th HR. Drew Jackson (1st) and Kyle Garlick (14th) also hit HRs.

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Tulsa Game 2 – Tulsa 3-1 win over Corpus Christi Hooks (Astros). Andy Sopko started and pitched 5.0 shutout innings. He allowed 4 hits, 1 walk, and 6 strikeouts. Brian Moran and Corey Copping each pitched an inning with Copping notching his 14th save. After a 3 hit Game 1, Matt Beatty went 2-3 in Game 2. Blake Gailen (2) and Erick Mejia each had run producing doubles.

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RC Quakes lost 5-3 to the Stockton Ports (A’s). Michael Boyle started for the Quakes and went an undistinguished 4 innings allowing 4 runs on 6 hits to get the loss. Alex Hermeling and Jason Richman finished up the final five innings, with Richman going three scoreless innings. Luke Raley was the lone offensive weapon with 2 hits including a 2 run triple, and then scored himself on a DJ Peters single. AGon, playing 1B, went 1-5, while Andre Ethier, playing LF, went 0-2.

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Great Lakes beat the Lansing Lugnuts (Blue Jays) 10-6. 32nd round draft choice, OF Tyler Adkison, was promoted yesterday to Great Lakes from Ogden. 3B Brock Carpenter was promoted today to Great Lakes from Ogden. Ryan Mosely was the third Loon pitcher and went 3.0 innings allowing 1 walk for the only base-runner. He struck out 5. Andre Scrubb pitched the final 4 innings allowing 1 run on 3 hits, no walks, and 4 strikeouts, for the win. In his Great Lakes debut, Adkison went 2-3, including his first double. Steve Berman also had two hits. But the very hot Gavin Lux was the offensive star for Great Lakes with a 3-5 night.

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Ogden lost to the Great Falls Voyagers (White Sox) 11-6. Not much positive news on the pitching. There were 5 pitchers with Justin Hoyt and Conor Costello combining for 4.1 scoreless innings. Rylan Bannon continues his solid inaugural professional season with 2 hits and his batting a solid .403. Romer Cuadrado, Gersel Pitre, and Brayan Morales had two hits each. Luis Paz slugged his 12th HR; a 3 run shot in the third that brought the Raptors within one at the time. One other note, Carlos Rincon who had 18 HRs for Great Lakes, but almost struck out 40% of his PA, was re-assigned to Rookie level at Ogden.

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AZL Dodgers shutout the AZL Brewers 6-0. Jesus Vargas, Nathan Witt, Zach Pop, and Santos Mateo combined for the shutout, with Vargas going the first 6 to get his 3rd win. Zach Pop (7th round) and Nathan Witt (17th round) each went 1 inning in their professional debut. Each allowed one hit, and struck out one. Erisbel Arruebarrena had 3 hits including his 2nd triple. Eric Meza and Jefrey Souffront had 2 hits each. Souffront hit his 5th HR for the Dodgers.